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GLOBAL WARMING
1995 FWOC
Resolution
No. 26:
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Environmentally-perceptive
people from all over this planet are aware of and deeply concerned
about the environmental affects of global warming.
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| The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs has previously expressed its opinion about this grave
matter previously because: |
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o We are convinced it is a
real phenomenon, and is not a short-term weather fluctuation.
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| o We know that human-kinds'
contribution to it must be curtailed. |
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| o We know that if prompt and
effect action to curtail it isn't soon taken, irreversible and
catastrophic changes to the world's climate and its environments and
all its creatures will inevitably result. |
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One of human-kinds' major
contribution to it is carbon dioxide (CO2) which is derived mainly from
combustion of carbonaceous fossil fuels and biomass for transportation,
heating, and generation of electrical power.
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Based on its assessment,
the FWOC recommends its members and member clubs consider the following:
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1. So that they,
too, can become safe, reliable, large-scale sources of electrical
energy, basic and applied research on alternative energy sources by
public and private research should be accelerated and well-funded.
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As of now, the only such
safe, reliable, large-scale sources are carbon based-fuels, with their
now completely unacceptable effects on global warming, hydro-electric
power, with its often unacceptable effects on riverine and agricultural
environments, or free-flowing recreation, and nuclear power. The
latter is the most environmentally benign of the three large-scale
power sources, but is often the focus of public fear and concern.
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2. Basic and applied
research to make the combustion processes more fuel-efficient, and also
to improve the overall efficiency of electrical devices must be
accelerated and well-funded. Putting into practice any such
improvements discovered will cause an immediate reduction in carbon
dioxide emissions.
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3. Environmental
regulations must be strengthened so as to phase-out fuel inefficient
operations and replaced them with more fuel-efficient ones that will
minimize CO2 emissions.
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4. When new
large-scale power plants are proposed, environmentally-concerned
individuals and groups should first demand implementation of a vigorous
energy conservation campaign by the respective public utilities.
When new power plants must be built, and alternative technologies
cannot provide the electrical services required, on a site specific
basis, the preference of environmentalists should first be
hydro-electric plants, then nuclear power plants, and only as a last
resort fossil-fuel plants.
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5. In light of the
above logic, the FWOC suggests that all member club/affiliates
objectively re-evaluate their policies regarding nuclear power, nuclear
fuel reprocessing in the U.S., and consider changes to these policies
that reflect that this nation's 110 nuclear power plants are already
safely and reliably providing one-fourth of this country's electricity.
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FWOC members and member clubs urged to
send copies of the above Resolution to their Congressional
representatives, their State Governor, to public utilities in their
state, and to:
Hazel O'Leary,
Secretary, Department of
Energy
Forrestal Building, 1000
Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
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